The Metal Architecture Architect Reader Survey is conducted annually to keep a pulse on the state of the design and architecture industry. The results of an electronic survey emailed to a portion of our readership show how architects are using metal and provides a glimpse into what metal products are being specified.
For which type of firm do you work?
Architectural: 55.6%
Design-Build: 21.1%
Architectural/Engineering: 15.6%
Engineering: 7.8%
Integrated Construction: 3.3%
Engineering/Architectural: 2.2%
Please select the title that best describes your position in your firm.
Owner of firm: 51.7%
Staff architect: 20.2%
Company management: 15.7%
Head/Chief architect: 4.5%
Engineer: 2.2%
Interior Designer: 1.1%
Exterior Designer: 0.0%
Specification writer: 0.0%
Architectural intern: 4.5%
Did you or your company specify metal building products during 2010, and do you expect to specify them in 2011?
At least one metal roof system
2009: 12.3%
2010: 16.4%
2011 (projected): 71.2%
At least one metal wall system
2009: 7.9%
2010: 17.5%
2011 (projected): 74.6%
At least one metal building system
2009: 5.5%
2010: 16.4%
2011 (projected): 78.2%
At least one metal framing system
2009: 11.1%
2010: 17.5%
2011 (projected): 71.4%
Comparing 2010 to 2011, do you expect to specify?
About the same amount of metal roofing: 57.5%
More metal roofing: 35.6%
Less metal roofing: 8.0%
What types of metal roofing did your firm specify in 2010?
Low-slope SSR: 54.3%
Insulated metal roof panels: 32.1%
Batten Seam: 39.5%
Corrugated: 28.4%
Steep Slope SSR: 27.2%
Thru-fastened ribbed: 25.9%
Painted metal tile, shake or shingle: 12.3%
Individual shingles: 7.4%
Stone-coated: 6.2%
Comparing 2010 to 2011, do you expect to specify?
More metal wall panels: 28.0%
About the same amount of metal wall panels: 63.4%
Less metal wall panels: 8.5%
What types of metal wall panels did your firm specify in 2010?
Concealed fastening: 80.0%
Exposed fastening: 37.3%
Corrugated: 36.0%
Metal-faced composite: 28.0%
Foam-core smooth: 25.3%
Steel/aluminum plate: 16.0%
Foam-core ribbed: 14.7%
Custom flat seam: 13.3%
Perforated/expanded metal: 13.3%
Individual shingles: 6.7%
Comparing 2010 to 2011, do you expect to specify?
More metal building systems: 27.1%
About the same amount of metal building systems: 64.7%
Less metal building systems: 9.4%
Comparing 2010 to 2011, do you expect to specify?
More metal framing systems: 27.9%
About the same amount of metal framing systems: 66.3%
Less metal framing systems: 7.0%
Does your company look to metal building products to help your firm gain LEED certification or green building objectives in 2010?
Yes: 44.9%
No: 55.1%
Did you or your firm use “cool metal” coatings in any of your roofing solutions?
Yes: 36.4%
No: 63.6%
Did you or your firm use solar panels, photovoltaics or solar films in your roofing projects?
Yes: 40.7%
No: 59.3%
Do you expect to increase the number of solar panels or photovoltaic systems your firm specifies in 2011?
Yes, we plan on specifying many more: 10.3%
Yes, we plan on specifying more: 16.1%
We will specify as we can: 58.6%
No, we plan on specifying less: 1.1%
No, we plan of specifying none: 13.8%
Did you or your firm specify a re-roof or retrofit project during 2010?
Yes: 55.2%
No: 44.8%
Does your firm specify any of the following roof accessories?
Awnings, canopies, decks, walkways: 80.5%
Roof hatches: 75.6%
Roof vents: 70.7%
Snow guards: 53.7%
Roof screens: 43.9%
Uplift protection, tie-downs: 39.0%
What other building products did you specify during 2010?
Windows, skylights, roof windows: 95.1%
Doors and door hardware: 89.0%
Thermal insulation, moisture control: 87.8%
Brick, stucco, stone or EIFS facades: 84.1%
Exterior entryways, store fronts: 82.9%
Gutters: 81.7%
Interior doors: 80.5%
Ceiling, ceiling systems: 80.5%
Paints, powder coatings, sealants: 79.3%
Roof membranes, shingles: 78.0%
Glass, glass-walls: 78.0%
Roof membranes, shingles: 74.4%
Roof hatches: 74.4%
Metal stairs: 70.7%
Structural systems: 69.5%
Roof curbs: 67.1%
Underlayment: 65.9%
Fasteners, clips: 65.9%
Signage: 63.4%
Metal building systems: 62.2%
Curtainwalls: 61.0%
Sunshades: 58.5%
Metal decking, walkways: 58.5%
Ventilation, fans, blowers: 57.3%
Architectural molding: 57.3%
Interior wall panels: 56.1%
Light-gauge steel trusses: 52.4%
Snow guards: 51.2%
HVAC systems: 51.2%
Metal screens, fencing: 47.6%
Metal column covers: 45.1%
Metal ceilings: 43.9%
Cable, railing systems: 41.5%
Mezzanines: 40.2%
Perforated, expanded metal: 39.0%
Solar panels, photovoltaics: 37.8%
Modular buildings, canopies, atrium: 31.7%
Security systems: 28.0%
As a design solution, do you or your firm find metal and composite materials to be…
an exciting material choice: 48.3%
a unique way to bring design into the building project: 59.8%
an energy-efficient way to create new design aspects for projects: 46.0%